Jigsaw puzzle of a size requiring large muscle exercise

ABSTRACT

A jigsaw puzzle formed by a plurality of relatively large interlocking pieces providing for large muscle activity, with the assembled puzzle having an upper surface bearing a pictorial scene having an area for occupancy by a participant in the pictorial scene, so that the player may assume a position on said puzzle when the pieces are in assembled relationship with the player forming a part of the assembled scene.

United" States Patent [72] Inventor Irving Brambier 841 Duncan Drive, Westbury, N.Y. 12191 [21] Appl No. 725,781

[22] Filed May 1, 1968 [45] Patented May 11, 1971 [54] JIGSAW PUZZLE OF A SIZE REQUIRING LARGE MUSCLE EXERCISE 3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 273/157 [51 Int. Cl A631 9/12 [50] Field of Search 273/156,

157; 35/39; 46/24 (Cursory) [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,506,979 9/1924 Foulks 273/ l 57UX 2,680,307 6/1954 Ford 35/39 2,751,705 6/1956 Joseph .1: 46/24 Primary ExaminerAnton O. Oechsle Attorney-Robert W. Fiddler ABSTRACT: A jigsaw puzzle formed by a plurality of relatively large interlocking pieces providing for large muscle activity, with the assembled puzzle having an upper surface bearing a pictorial scene having an area for occupancy by a participant in the pictorial scene, so that the player may assume a position onfsaid puzzle when the pieces are in assembled relationship with the player forming a part of the assembled scene.

Patented 'May '11, 1911 3,573,330

INVENTOR IRVING BRAMBIER ATTORNEY.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the art of jigsaw puzzles, and more particularly to an improved relatively large jigsaw puzzle in which in addition to providing the playing and educational benefits normally derived from assembling of the puzzle, after the puzzle is assembled, the player is enabled to further make play or educational use of the assembled puzzle by partaking of a scene provided by the assembled pieces. The pieces themselves are preferrably of a size such as to require large muscle action on the part of the user, thus providing large muscle exercise, in addition to the use of manual dexterity and spatial visualization skills.

A variety of jigsaw puzzles have been evolved over the years in which a plurality of irregularly shaped pieces are provided for assembly into a unitary whole, with the top surface bearing a two dimensional scene. The puzzle serves to provide a game challenge, and additionally, serves an educational purpose in providing an exercise in spatial visualization, and manual dexterity. However, once the puzzle has been assembled, the play and educational value of the puzzle is gone, and only by breaking up the puzzle and reassembling it does it provide any further means of utilization. I

Previously evolved jigsaw puzzles, generally employ relatively small pieces requiring the exercise of manual dexterity in positioning of the pieces. No opportunity is, however, provided for large muscle exercise, and with small active children, interest often wanes, due to the relatively sedentary nature of the activity.

Additionally, with very small children, their limited manual dexterity requires that the pieces of the puzzle be of a relatively large size, and that the contours of the pieces be of a relatively noncomplex nature. Though this provides an initial challenge, and provides some play and educational benefits, even the youngest children rapidly memorize the location of the relatively large pieces in the puzzle, and the play value of the puzzle rapidly diminishes. I

It is with the above considerations in mind that the present improved jigsaw puzzle has been evolved, a puzzle serving to pennit fabrication of pieces of a size which can be readily handled by relatively small children, and may preferably be made of a size requiring the use of large muscle skills. The play and educational value of the puzzle does not terminate upon assembly of the puzzle, since according to the invention, the puzzle has been made so as to permit the player to further utilize the assembled puzzle as a play and educational object.

It is, accordingly, among the primary objects of this invention to provide an improved jigsaw puzzle in which the assembly of the pieces of the puzzle does not put an end to the play and educational value of the puzzle.

A further object of the invention is to provide ajigsaw puzzle in which the challenge of assembling the pieces provides not only any an exercise in spatial visualization, and digital dexterity, but also serves to provide an exercise in large muscle activity.

Another object of the invention is to provide a jigsaw puzzle in which the assembled puule provides a new game and learning opportunity.

These and other objects of the invention, which will become hereafter apparent are attained by forming a puzzle in which the interlocking pieces of the puzzle are relatively large and the assembled pieces provide a surface area of relatively large dimensions such that a player may occupy an area on the assembled pieces. The surface area of the assembled pieces are formed with a picture having an area in which a player may position himself to form a part of the assembled puzzle. As a result, after assembly of the puzzle, a playing surface is provided in which the player may assume positions forming a part of the picture provided by the puzzle.

A feature of the invention resides in the fact that the assembled puzzle provides further opportunities for play and educational activities.

Another feature of the invention resides in the fact that the pieces of the puzzle may be made of a size so as to test not only manual dexterity, but also large muscle activities of a child.

A further feature of the invention resides in the fact that the relatively large puzzle pieces lend themselves to fabrication with a three dimensional surface scene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The specific details of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and their mode of functioning, will be particularly pointed out in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view looking down at an assembled puzzle made in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view looking down at a puzzle piece formed with a player occupying area formed by a seat raised out of the plane of the puzzle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, an example of a puzzle made in accordance with the teachings of this invention has been illustrated in FIG. '1 showing a jigsaw puzzle provided with, by way of example, a clock face as the assembled puzzle picture.

The puzzle 10 may be assembled with any one of a large variety of peripheral contours, such for example, as a boatshaped contour, an airplane-shaped contour, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, a rectangular, or in this case square contour has been shown with the irregularly shaped pieces 12, only one of which has been labeled and is here described, preferably having a plurality of tabs 13 and tab receiving recesses 14 formed at the peripheral bounds thereof to facilitate interlock between mating adjacent pieces.

The central area of the puzzle is formed with a player occupied area l6, preferably designated as such.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more designated player occupied areas may be provided on the puzzle, depending on the type of play which is to be encouraged, and that these player occupied areas 16 may be made either two dimensional or three dimensional, as shown in FIG. 2 within the scope of this invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a piece 20 contoured to mate with the adjacent puzzle pieces, is formed with a raised player occupied area in the form of seat 21.

OPERATION The pieces of the puzzle may be fabricated in a variety of ways, either by cutting them from a previously formed and imprinted relatively rigid material, such as plywood, or plastic, paperboard, or the like. Should it be desired to form the puzzle pieces of moldable plastic material, conventional molding techniques may be employed to form the necessary pieces, and three dimensional surface effects may be provided.

The player utilizes the pieces by assembling them into a unitary whole, by interlocking mating pieces until the entire puzzle has been formed. It will of course be understood that the pieces are preferably of a size requiring two hand manipulation, requiring the exercise of not only digital dexterity, but also the exercise of the so-called large muscles employed in moving the arms and legs.

After the pieces are assembled into the puzzle, as illustrated by way of example in FIG. I, the player may occupy the player occupied area 16 and partake of further play activity, as indicated by the design.

With the illustrated embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated that the player will seat himself at the center of the clock face, and by orienting his arms with respect to the clock face numerals, be able to teach himself, and others, the rudiments of telling time.

It is thus seen that an improved jigsaw puzzle construction has been provided serving to implement the exercise of digital, and large muscle activities in the assembly of the puzzle, and

stand and walk thereon simultaneously and bearing a picture; an area on the assembled puzzle designated for occupancy by a participant in the picture, whereby the player may assume a position on said puzzle when the pieces are in assembled rela tionship with the player forming a part of the assembled scene.

2. A jigsaw puzzle. as in claim 1, in which the pieces are of a size requiring two hand manipulation.

3. A jigsaw puzzle, as in claim 1, in which at least one of the pieces is formed with a raised player occupied area. 

1. A jigsaw puzzle comprising a plurality of relatively large interlocking pieces, said pieces being of a material sufficiently light in weight that they can be manipulated by a child without the exertion of undue physical effort and being of a size sufficiently large to require use of the large muscles of the limbs to manipulate said pieces, the assembled puzzle having an upper surface of sufficient size to enable a plurality of persons to stand and walk thereon simultaneously and bearing a picture; an area on the assembled puzzle designated for occupancy by a participant in the picture, whereby the player may assume a position on said puzzle when the pieces are in assembled relationship with the player forming a part of the assembled scene.
 2. A jigsaw puzzle, as in claim 1, in which the pieces are of a size requiring two hand manipulation.
 3. A jigsaw puzzle, as in claim 1, in which at least one of the pieces is formed with a raised player occupied area. 